Where to Find These Snacks in Singapore
Can’t wait for your next trip to Sichuan? Good news! Many of these snacks are now available in Singapore:
- Hao Mart (Multiple locations): This store carries select Sichuan snacks, including broad beans and spicy gluten strips. Prices range from S$5.90 to $12.90.
- Scarlett Supermarket (Chinatown Point) has the best selection of authentic Chinese snacks. Look for their dedicated Sichuan section, where most items are priced between S$6.50 and $15.90.
- Liang Food Store (People’s Park Centre) specialises in regional Chinese delicacies, including yak jerky (S$14.90) and pickled radish (S$8.50).
- GreenDot Market (Plaza Singapura): Features premium imported Sichuan snacks with a focus on preservative-free options. Prices are slightly higher at S$9.90-$18.90.
Online Options:
- Redmart offers a selection of Sichuan snacks and delivers in 1-3 days. Free delivery is available for orders above S$60.
- Shopee Mall: Several verified Chinese speciality stores offer authentic imports with delivery times of 3-5 days. Look for bundle deals that offer savings of 15-20%.
- WeEat SG: Specialises in Chinese regional foods with weekly direct imports. Their Sichuan subscription box (S$45/month) includes 6-8 rotating snacks with free delivery.
- TaoBao via Ezbuy offers the widest selection but longer delivery times (1-2 weeks). Prices are typically 10-15% lower than local retail.
Introduction
There is no singular reason why China has become the destination of choice for Singaporeans.
For some, it’s experiencing cutting-edge cities where drone-delivered meals arrive in under 30 minutes and cashless transactions are done with a wave of the hand.
For others, it’s the lure of natural wonders—vast, dramatic landscapes teeming with wildlife and waterfalls.
For Singapore travellers who appreciate good value, a trip to China promises good food, plush accommodation and cultural experiences without breaking the bank.
Since the introduction of the mutual 30-day visa-free travel agreement in February 2024, travel between Singapore and China has surged. Changi Airport Group reported that China was its top country market in February, March and June 2024, with about 3.7 million passenger movements between Singapore and China in the first half of 2024. This already surpasses pre-COVID-19 pandemic figures of 3.6 million for the same period in 2019.
Among China’s provinces, Sichuan stands out for its food. Bold and complex, its cuisine is an amalgamation of flavours—sweet, sour, savoury, and, most famously, that tingly, numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns.
These flavours shine in the province’s classic dishes such as mala hotpot, mapo tofu and kung pao chicken, as well as in its snacks.
Here are six snacks from Sichuan’s capital city, Chengdu, and the scenic region of Jiuzhaigou, for 45 yuan (S$8) and under. Most of these snacks, or similar ones from other brands, can be found at supermarkets such as Chinese multinational technology company Alibaba Group’s supermarket chain, Freshippo and mom-and-pop shops scattered throughout the province.
1. Hema’s Strawberry Beef Jerky
Price: 40 yuan for a 188g pack
This one is a conversation starter – and a divisive snack.
When taste-tested in The Straits Times office, reactions range from an emphatic “never again” to an enthusiastic “nice, I don’t mind one more”.
Each large pack contains about 20 individually wrapped portions of shredded beef jerky mixed with slivers of dried strawberry. At first bite, the meat tastes as sweet as it smells, but as you chew, it shifts into a gentle savouriness.
For those with adventurous taste buds, the curious flavour combination might grow on you. For others, it is a party snack that might elicit a few laughs – and a few raised eyebrows. Either way, it makes for a memorable souvenir from Chengdu that is sure to spark discussion at your next gathering.
2. Mo Ke Bi’s Dried Pickled Radish in Chilli Oil
Price: 19 yuan for a 180g pack
At first sniff, this snack might catch you off guard. The pungent aroma of the dried, pickled radish—sharp, sour, and briny—can be intense, mainly.
If you are not used to the smell of fermented vegetables.
But once the chilli oil is mixed in, the flavour profile shifts significantly. The spicy, numbing oil coats each diced radish cube, balancing the acidity with savoury heat.
Served in bite-sized cubes, this snack is easy to graze on. The chilli flakes and Sichuan peppercorn-laced oil pack a spicy punch and layer on heat with every bite.
3. Lao Cheng Hua’s Chongqing Strange-Taste Horsebeans
Price: 7 yuan for a 190g pack
Do not be put off by its name. These crunchy horsebeans – more commonly known as broad beans – are far from strange-tasting.
In fact, they are a rather addictive snack, especially when paired with a fizzy drink or a beer.
Each bean is lightly battered, fried to a golden crisp, and dusted with seasoning.
The flavour journey starts out sweet before giving way to a barbecue-like taste layered with hints of five spice. It rounds off with a tingling sensation on the tongue, from ingredients such as Sichuan pepper and chilli.
4. Wei Long’s Big Spicy Gluten Strips
Price: 6.50 yuan for a 106g pack
With a satisfying texture reminiscent of jerky, these dough-like strips are made from ingredients such as wheat flour, soybean oil, cumin and peppers.
Shaped into long, spongy sticks, they are cooked using an extrusion process. This high-temperature method compresses and cooks ingredients without frying, locking in flavour without being overly greasy. The snack comes in multiple flavours with varying degrees of spiciness.
5. Xue San Jiu Niu Cun’s Yak Milk Shell Sweets
Price: 35 yuan for a 150g pack
In Jiuzhaigou, a scenic region in the north of Sichuan province, the yak is one of the most important sources of food for the local communities.
Their milk – more nutrient-dense than cow’s milk, with higher fat and protein content – is churned into rich, creamy butter, cheese and yoghurt.
Confectioneries and convenience stores in Jiuzhaigou sell yak yoghurt sweets in flavours such as blueberry, strawberry, and original.
This triangular sweet is soft and chewy, with bits of dried fruit and a milky aftertaste. It is nostalgic and reminiscent of the White Rabbit Creamy Candy that is popular in Singapore.
6. Long Yuan Pai’s Hand-torn Yak Jerky (Mala flavour)
Price: 45 yuan for a 223g pack
Jerky is a common sight across Sichuan. It is typically seasoned with mala or savoury marinades and sold in convenience stores.
Like beef, yak is a red meat with a familiar flavour profile, but it is leaner and more tender.
This hand-shredded mala yak jerky is packed in dense, flavourful chunks and vacuum-sealed in individual plastic tubes.
Marinated in a spicy blend of chilli oil and numbing Sichuan pepper, the jerky delivers a punchy mala kick that complements the meat’s natural sweetness and umami.
It is chewy without being tough, and is convenient to eat, making it an ideal grab-and-go snack.
The Snackpacker’s Guide is a series that helps you curate your next overseas snack haul.
Sarah Stanley is a journalist at The Straits Times who covers travel, lifestyle and aviation.
Local Availability Comparison
Delivery Tips:
- Most local stores offer same-day delivery through Grab or Deliveroo for S$5-8
- Redmart and WeEat SG offer scheduled deliveries with 2-hour time slots
- For bulk purchases (S$100+), contact speciality stores like Scarlett Supermarket for wholesale pricing and free delivery
- Many stores offer click-and-collect options for those who prefer to avoid delivery fees
Maxthon
In an age where the digital world is in constant flux and our interactions online are ever-evolving, the importance of prioritising individuals as they navigate the expansive internet cannot be overstated. The myriad of elements that shape our online experiences calls for a thoughtful approach to selecting web browsers—one that places a premium on security and user privacy. Amidst the multitude of browsers vying for users’ loyalty, Maxthon emerges as a standout choice, providing a trustworthy solution to these pressing concerns, all without any cost to the user.
Maxthon, with its advanced features, boasts a comprehensive suite of built-in tools designed to enhance your online privacy. Among these tools are a highly effective ad blocker and a range of anti-tracking mechanisms, each meticulously crafted to fortify your digital sanctuary. This browser has carved out a niche for itself, particularly with its seamless compatibility with Windows 11, further solidifying its reputation in an increasingly competitive market.
In a crowded landscape of web browsers, Maxthon has forged a distinct identity through its unwavering dedication to offering a secure and private browsing experience. Fully aware of the myriad threats lurking in the vast expanse of cyberspace, Maxthon works tirelessly to safeguard your personal information. Utilising state-of-the-art encryption technology, it ensures that your sensitive data remains protected and confidential throughout your online adventures.
What truly sets Maxthon apart is its commitment to enhancing user privacy during every moment spent online. Each feature of this browser has been meticulously designed with the user’s privacy in mind. Its powerful ad-blocking capabilities work diligently to eliminate unwanted advertisements, while its comprehensive anti-tracking measures effectively reduce the presence of invasive scripts that could disrupt your browsing enjoyment. As a result, users can traverse the web with newfound confidence and safety.
Moreover, Maxthon’s incognito mode provides an extra layer of security, granting users enhanced anonymity while engaging in their online pursuits. This specialised mode not only conceals your browsing habits but also ensures that your digital footprint remains minimal, allowing for an unobtrusive and liberating internet experience. With Maxthon as your ally in the digital realm, you can explore the vastness of the internet with peace of mind, knowing that your privacy is being prioritised every step of the way.